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The little town with a really big secret.
The true story of activists who embarked on a covert mission to penetrate a hidden cove in Japan, exposing a deadly secret.
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A team of activists, filmmakers, and freedivers embark on a covert mission to expose a deadly secret hidden in a remote cove in Taiji, Japan. By utilizing state-of-the-art techniques, they uncover a horrible annual tradition of unparalleled cruelty. A provocative mix of investigative journalism, eco-adventure, and arresting imagery makes this an unforgettable and courageous story that inspires outrage and action.
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Learn more and take action to end the dolphin drive hunts
The Cove has done a great deal to expose these hunts. More important is what happens now. We are determined to end this devastating practice by supporting collaborators in Japan and around the globe. You can help.
Learn MoreIn September of each year, the dolphin drive hunting season begins in Taiji, Japan. Over 2,000 small whales and dolphins may be captured or killed annually. A variety of dolphin species are taken in a brutal process that can last for days.
Over 3,500 copies of The Cove were delivered to households in Taiji, Japan.
Take Action
Following the filming of The Cove, dolphin meat was taken off the school lunch menu in Taiji.
Host a viewing partyMany citizens in Japan are unaware of the dolphin hunts, and the health risks associated with consuming whale and dolphin meat. The Japanese government continues to subsidize these hunts which are tied to Japan’s deadly whaling policies, perpetuating this inhumane and out-dated practice.
Hundreds of dolphins procured from the Taiji hunts are shipped to aquaria around the globe, primarily within Asia and the Middle East. China is the number one purchaser of wild-caught dolphins from Japan, but every captive facility ultimately fuels the continuation of this deadly supply and demand chain.
A live dolphin procured from the drive hunts may have a price tag of $150,000 or more.
Don't buy a ticketMeet the Cast and Crew
Louie Psihoyos
Fisher Stevens
Paula DuPré Pesmen
Olivia Ahnemann
Mark Monroe
Geoffrey Richman
J. Ralph
Brooke Aitken
Michael Scalisi
Miles Hubley
Tom White
Richard O’Barry
Simon Hutchins
Mandy-Rae Cruickshank
Kirk Krack
David Rastovich
Scott Baker
Charles Hambleton
Joseph Chisholm
Greg “Moondog” Mooney
Participant Media
2010 Academy Award® Movie Award
Best Documentary Feature
2010 Producers Guild of America Award
Outstanding Producer of Documentary Theatrical Motion Pictures
2010 Directors Guild of America Award
Outstanding Directing – Documentaries
2010 Writers Guild of America
Best Documentary Screenplay
2009 Sundance Film Festival
Audience Award – U.S. Documentary
2010 Critics’ Choice Movie Award
Best Documentary Feature
2010 American Cinema Editors
Best Documentary Editing
Blue Ocean Film Festival
Best Theatrical
Blue Ocean Film Festival
Best in Festival
Sydney Film Festival
Audience Award
Silver Docs Film Festival
Audience Award
Seattle International Film Festival
Golden Space Needle
2009 Rome Film Festival
The Ikea Award
Newport Beach Film Festival
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2009 Nantucket Film Festival
Best Storytelling
2009 Maui Film Festival
Audience Award
Hotdocs Film Festival
The Audience Award
Heartland Film Festival
Truly Moving Picture
2009 Ghent Film Festival
Audience Award
2009 Galway Film Festival
Best Doc Feature
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